Mr. Speaker, almost one year ago today on May 8 an overwhelming majority of members of the House supported the Progressive Conservative motion to ensure that Canada had national enforceable drinking water standards enshrined in a safe water act. I tabled the motion in response to the fact that Canadians' confidence in their drinking water supply had been shattered.
A year ago the House called upon the government to act immediately with the provinces and territories. I hope the health minister understands that immediately means “occurring or done at once or without delay”.
Canadians have a right to know if their drinking water contains contaminants that affect human health. Even the environment minister now considers drinking water safety one of his priorities according to statements he made earlier this month in Banff. The sad truth is this is another chapter in the book entitled “The Liberal Government that Does Nothing and the Canadians that Pay the Price” in this case with their health.
When will the health minister table a safe drinking water act so we can have national enforceable standards for drinking water?